I think a lot of what we are seeing here is the result of "Consolidation Directives" coming down from the Secretary of Defense. Chuck Hagel instituted a policy (a while back now) that ALL of the branches needed to get together and buy the same "stuff" in order to simplify supply. In this order, were directives to find "common ground" on ammunition, missiles, and everyday things like boots, batteries, and radios. I know this is why the continued acquisition of the Griffon Missile was stopped by the Navy and why the Army has sold them Hellfire Longbows. It is also the reason that the F35 was equipped with 25mm Autocannon instead of 20mm (over Air Force objections). The other branches decided to equip 25mm as standard and the Air Force was "out voted." I wonder how interesting things are going to get now that both the Navy and the Army seem to have concluded that 25mm is "inadequate" against newer threats and have decided to move up to a larger 30mm round. I'll bet that's also why the LAV-25 is now being considered by the Army. The DOD said "get a common AFV with the Marines to simplify parts/maintenance and training" or else. The Army is just "along for the ride" on this procurement because they got to keep their upgraded Bradleys.
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05-09-2017, 07:06 PM
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